2 NPA cadres surrender in Kalinga; give up rifles

By Peter A. Balocnit

CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga - - Two New People’s Army (NPA) cadres surrendered to the Philippine National Police here last week.

Aka Jeff and aka Cris, both 21, single and elementary dropouts from Basao, Tinglayan town were presented July 14 in a press conference at the Kalinga Provincial Police Office multi-purpose hall with Kalinga police director Col. Davy Vicente Limmong.

It was also attended by the Police Advisory Council (PAC), Task Force ELCAC and relatives of the surrenderees.

Both surrendered to authorities  rifles, an –M16 and single- action inlcuding improvised explosive devices.

The surrender of the two was facilitated by tribemates from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15 and elders of the Basao tribe. 

They were welcomed by officers of Police Regional Office Cordillera, Armed Forces of the Philippines, provincial government and their tribemates.

Limmong said the surrenderees will be provided protection and assistance while they are undergoing integration while their benefits under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) were on process.

Aka Jeff and aka Cris said they want to undergo skills training so they can invest wisely whatever financial benefits they will receive from ECLIP.

Both said they wanted to engage on livelihood projects, live normal lives and be of help to their families.
 Provincial TESDA director Victor Brioso invited them to enroll at the provincial training center.

Alternative Learning System (ALS) coordinator Lorenza Fannot also asked them to undergo ALS education.
 Jeff and Cris will now join in campaign to urge NPA members to surrender and avail of benefits under ECLIP.
          PAC chairman engineer Andres Ngao-i also urged the surrenderees to join in peace-making like dispute resolution. (JDP/PAB-PIA CAR, Kalinga)